Gibson’s Group To Open New Restaurant in Disney World

Culinary academy students taking their coursework in the Chicagoland area have probably heard of Gibson’s Group. One of the most esteemed hospitality groups in the entire city, Gibson’s Group has given birth to numerous successful restaurant concepts in the region such as Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, Quartino, Luxbar and, of course, Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse. Now according to Eater, the group will be extending their reach far beyond the Windy City to open their first restaurant outside Chicago, as they’ve announced plans to open a restaurant in Florida’s Walt Disney World Theme Park and Resort.

The Chicago Tribune has reported that the restaurant will be a collaborative effort in a partnership between Gibson’s Group and Schussler Creative. The concept, which will be called The Boathouse, will be an attempt to capitalize on the large tourism boom that the area experiences annually due to its theme park. The restaurant itself will be located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, an area that the “Downtown Disney” section of the park has been expanding into.

From a conceptual level, not all details about the restaurant’s design have yet been reported to the press. That said, it’s been confirmed that the establishment will feature two internal bars as well as one built out over the water. The restaurant will offer a nautical theme in a family friendly setting, including waterfront rides for the kids and a water taxi stocked with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. These aspects of the restaurant are going to be handled by Schussler, who are most famous for their development of the creative decor and experiential dining behind the Rainforest Cafe brand.

The restaurant is currently slated for an initial opening in the spring of 2015, so keep your eyes peeled.